Hello all~ So, I've got a question that's related to computers, specifically laptops. I was wondering if anyone would know anything about getting a problem fixed, this problem being my top screen on my laptop seems to be loose from the bottom. I had it shut for a while and when I opened it to get on, the display was scrolling/flashing black and glitching. I realized that it didn't seem to be connected properly to the base/bottom so I popped it back into place and the glitching has stopped, for now. My problem seems to be just a loose connection from the top monitor to the base of the laptop. I feel like that would cause the display issue I had. Part of the plastic as well, around the screen is actually popped off of the screen itself, leaving a bit of a gap. I plan to take it in to get it looked at if the problem keeps up.

Anyway, what I want to ask is, has anyone else out there had this issue with a laptop? And if so, how much did it cost to fix? Or maybe an estimate. I'm worried it's going to be rather pricey, as I do not really have much money to spend.

Thanks~

I think I know almost exactly what you're talking about. Is it on or near the hinges of your laptop screen? Because that would be a simple check of the wiring in there (yes, there is wiring in those hinges) and replacing the missing piece of plastic.

I won't give much of an estimate on pricing because some places charge $50 for the check itself or higher. (My father and I charge $20 an hour and only if we can fix it so if you can get here--)

If the "frame" around your screen is gone entirely, that's another matter unto itself and something completely different. That could be anything from lose wiring to dirty wiring to dust infiltration above and beyond the norm.

Yeah, it's the left side of the hinge. It's actually somewhat uneven to the right side, which that side seems totally fine. The plastic is still there, it's just popping off of the screen in one place. Specifically right above the left side of the hinge connecting to the bottom. It's totally fine everywhere else.

Here; is where the plastic is coming off of the screen, https://i.gyazo.com/d3904da11837042cf2e9e93b3755e3e1.jpg

I've only got a Nintendo DS at the moment to take these pictures with, so bare with me here.

And here; is where it's uneven. It's really hard to see in the pictures, but if you look close enough, the left side of the screen doesn't have as big as a gap as the right at the bottom, the left side having less space in the middle than the right. https://i.gyazo.com/a890f14c8a43e8c2aa728daee6e22c61.jpg https://i.gyazo.com/c71635e98a56980220f6d47a941b13ba.jpg

So basically, the left side is pushed closer in than the right side is. The screen is also loose now, when I move it the screen tends to move a bit too. Not staying in place like it should. I'm planning to take it to Best Buy, one of my friends recommended Geek Squad, which there is one with the Best Buy I plan to go to. Same place I bought the laptop as well. I bought it in Feb of 2015, so It's not even that old.

The reason I'm worried about the pricing is because, a few years back, my mother's laptop had a display issue, sort of like what I'm getting now. She sent it to Dell, the company that made that laptop, and they told her it was the motherboard and would cost $800.00. The laptop only costed her $400.00. So, she asked them to send it back and when they did, she opened it herself and made sure everything was tight. One wire was loose, so she fixed it and in turn, fixed the display issue.

Looks like what I said because my laptop's screen "frame" pops off like that at the top where the webcam is and I just snap it back in. You can always get it checked, absolutely, I'd advise for it but it should just... click back in.

Yeah, I'm hoping it's something very simple and that when I take it in, they can just fix it easily. I'd rather not do much to it myself in fear of making the problem worse. Pushing the hinge down yesterday was a bit out of my comfort zone, but the glitching wouldn't have stopped if I didn't. I've also decided not to shut the lid, since that is how it seemed to mess up in the first place. For now it will stay open until I can get it fixed. It bothers me a little, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Wise choice. Let me know how things work out?

Sure thing! I'm not exactly sure when I'll have the time to take it in, hopefully within the next couple of days.

Best of luck. <3

Just took it to the Geek Squad in Best Buy today. Well, I had it in the car and asked if they could look at it. They told me they don't do that in stores, I'd have to send it out. It costs $35 just to send it out. Then, they will call you and tell you how much it's going to cost to fix and ask if you want them to fix it or send it back. I explained what was wrong to the guy and he said the whole top screen needs to be replaced. I figured it would just be a simple put back into place type of thing but I guess not? I feel like that's going to be expensive.

It really sucks too, it's getting worse. I hardly even want to use my laptop anymore, the plastic around the screen has now popped off even more, starting to come off of the whole left side and creeping closer to the right side. I don't know when I'll be able to send it out, since I don't know how much it will cost. The guy didn't even have an estimate.

Oh man. x___x; That is a tough estimate, honestly. I don't feel comfortable even beginning to give an idea of what that'd cost. I'm so sorry.

If you have another mean of getting online, I'd use that and start saving back for a replacement screen or entire laptop.

I figured that, No worries.

I've got about $40 as of right now. I don't think I'd be able to save up for another laptop, as this one costed $1,000. Was on sale for a little over $900. The warranty expired February as well, sadly. Honestly, it just took me almost half of this year to make $200 to buy a new 3ds, and then a pre-order for a game. The $40 is what I've got left over. I don't have a job and make my money through art commissions. I'm not sure how long it will take to actually get the "possible" money for this to get fixed, or how much to even attempt to get. Sucks too since I use this computer to make the money I need.

Ah, but thanks for the help, I appreciate it ^^

I wish I could fix it for you. x.x

That would be great x-x Computer repair has always been a hassle no matter what the issue is. Don't have anyone else I could go to about it either, sadly. Just going to have to keep being as careful as possible with it and save up as much money as possible.

-Edit

Not thinking, I guess I accidentally shut my laptop last night. I woke up and saw it shut, knew things were going to be bad. Luckily, the display is fine, there's no glitching but now it looks even worse. https://i.gyazo.com/0fa7d6906d2766c260e3aa28c7c8a5e7.jpg https://i.gyazo.com/01eb9e5e83bb797d06fab54fdb1c7b4a.jpg https://i.gyazo.com/67fad01976294e07dea596d77b80736e.jpg And apparently they have to replace the whole top screen for this? I mean it seems a little extreme to me but, I guess if that's what's really needed. To me it really just seems like the plastic around it needs to be fixed and re-adjusted. But oh well. Mad that I forgot and shut it. Really afraid the whole thing is just going to fall apart.

I told a friend of mine yesterday about the whole "Best Buy/Geek Squad" experience, they said I might want to look for a computer repair store in my area instead, they didn't really like what they suggested to me. Plus, if I did have to send it out, I'd have to shut it again, essentially making the problem 10x worse like I accidentally did now >_< But then I worry about someone breaking it rather than fixing it if I go to some other computer store. Bah what a hassle x-x

I wish I was anywhere near where you are, I would totally help you. I have taken my laptop apart a few times, and my husband's at least three times as well. Normally with something like that, if you have the right tools (the tiny screwdrivers mostly) you can look up a user's manual for the laptop, which will actually have diagrams about how everything comes apart, connects and goes back together, which is how I taught myself. If you can find the manual for it, and you trust yourself to do it, it is a lot cheaper to just open it up and make sure everything is connected and go from there. If you do need to replace the entire top screen, you should be able to find the parts online with no major issue, and that is a lot cheaper/easier than waiting on a repair shop to get the parts usually. Weirdly enough, it is the outer plastic case that is going to be the most expensive thing to fix. You might want to look into a laptp of the same type on ebay or something like that to see if you can find one for parts that has what you need. Hopefully any of that helps.

That would be awesome. I've never taken a laptop apart before, and the idea of doing it myself makes me uncomfortable. I'm really hoping I don't have to replace the entire top screen, I really feel like I wouldn't have to but, guess I can't really know that for sure. Can the plastic really be that expensive? I'd have to do some research on it, but I still wouldn't really know what to do from there. Taking it somewhere as well is pretty "eeeh" to me as well. I was really hoping that Geek Squad would've helped out more. I could try searching E-bay, but I'll still have to save up money as well. I'm just so afraid of somehow making something worse if I do try to fix it myself, or taking it somewhere and they make it worse.

On another note though, A new top screen wouldn't be too bad. I mean, I feel like it would cost a lot more, but I do remember back when I bought this laptop there were complaints about the top screen. About how the color of the display was off. I sure have seen that. Esp in playing games, the colors can be way off, can get hard to see at times. But I wont go too off topic on that, people who said that said they got a new screen to get that issue fixed. It never really bothered me too much to where I absolutely had to get that fixed. But, if I could kill two birds with one stone by just getting a new top screen, that would be great. It's just the price and where/what do I do to actually get it replaced. That's the part that's worrying me the most, who is going to be the one who fixes it.

You would be surprised. I have an HP Pavilion, and the outer plastic case is more expensive than most of the internal components. I was really confused, because it's just plastic, but apparently that happens. Some laptops just have known issues that you are going to be working with a lot (for mine, it's internal fan failure, which I've fixed several times), but if the screen having issues is a known thing for that laptop, there should be a repair place out there somewhere that knows that and is able to fix it pretty fast, I would think. Kind of hard to say though. I would think that someone could look at it and give you a quote and say that it definitely needs a new screen, or it just needs to be reconnected, or what have you. Have you googled repair shops in your area? They are normally a lot more affordable than Geek Squad.